The research team will monitor the engine (speed, RPM, load, and other parameters) data along with GPS information in order to analyze the bus fleet drive cycles, and identify characteristics such as idle time and speed distribution.

On July 1, 2015, the University of Kentucky and Lextran began a partnership that would allow UK students, faculty and staff to ride any Lextran bus route free of charge simply by showing their valid Wildcard ID. The partnership — dubbed BluPass — has grown tremendously in its first 15 months of service, recently surpassing 1 million rides.

The BluPass program — funded by Parking and Transportation Services — was implemented to decrease single-occupancy vehicle use, give students and employees more choices in transportation options and to ultimately reduce campus parking demand.